6-2 vs 5-1? Pros / Cons

[fingrbustr]

Just curious to hear what most people think. I've played and coached them both, with many different permutations (especially the 6-2). Let it rip, VT'ers...I'm all ears

[bunnywailer]

Apparently, the previous 1,463 times we have discussed this on VT wasn't enough.

[BeachBoy]

not enough subs in mens volleyball for this.

[Durian]

4-2
the future of mens volleyball.

[volleyballer4life]

Most setters aren't identical in tendencies. With two different styles of setting, why make the hitters adjust? Less adaptation, easier for hitters to anticipate sets. Add that to the substitution argument and 5-1 is going to be the choice for higher level ball most of the time.

[whatup]

Sometimes you may have two setters that may beable to hit as well.

[volleyballer4life]

whatup said:

Sometimes you may have two setters that may beable to hit as well.

Correct. However, if you're dealing with a high-level team, they most likely are deep enough where they have hitters that can do the job better than the setters, at which point a 6-2 doesn't make sense. On lower-level teams a 6-2 may work when they are lacking the hitting power they need and the setter can provide it. My senior year of high school both myself and the other setter hit outside front row and set back row.

[justchecking]

A strategy not often used...
If you have a setter that can hit and play a 5-1 your opponent will match up according to your usual line up. Most teams will match up a weaker blocker against the setter since they do not often hit.
Sub a setter/good defensive player in the back row for the OPP and your front row setter should be able to score, especially if your OPP is not doin' the job.

[fingrbustr]

Oooh, that is sneaky justchecking. The 'ol "are they playing 5-1 or 6-2?" switcheroo. Great post.

[banthony2]

I have seen that in high school where the best setter is also the best hitter. He led the match in kills and assists.

[bunnywailer]

justchecking said:

A strategy not often used...
If you have a setter that can hit and play a 5-1 your opponent will match up according to your usual line up. Most teams will match up a weaker blocker against the setter since they do not often hit.
Sub a setter/good defensive player in the back row for the OPP and your front row setter should be able to score, especially if your OPP is not doin' the job.

It's often used in a 5-1 system as a "double sub". It effectively dials your rotation by 3 in terms of opponent matchups.

It's been used internationally alot. Only drawback is due to substitution/game entry rules, you can only do it once at the international level. Not sure about NCAA or club. H.S. you could do it, conceivably, 9 times if you used no other subs.

[justchecking]

In reference to the "double sub"...that's why I suggested leaving the setter in to hit and just subbing another setter for the OPP. It only costs you 2 subs to get back to the original line up. Unfortunatey, many setters cannot hit effectively, but some can hit and could be used successfully.

Substituion rules:
Men's NCAA is the same as international, 6 and 1
Women's NCAA has 18 subs! Not good for teaching players to be all around players and preparation for the National level
Club is 12 and 3

[fingrbustr]

Yup -- those are the right sub allocations. Haha, it's actually dicey in club. I'm running a 6-2 and subbing a smaller setter for the OPP, but I also use an incredible server/defender DS to serve for one of MBs (great server, not so great defender). I actually ran out of subs in a crazy game that went past the mid 30s...good thing we won the game within 2 points

[fingrbustr]

Probably my favorite part of running a 6-2 is having my lead setter/hitter run the quick or dump in transition when he's front row. That's really what kills the other teams...and when they do spy him with their OH/MB he can get the pipe or outside completely open. Makes up to me in my mind the loss of having that FR setter dump!